Preface
On a map of China, Shanxi resembles a leaf lying in a south-north direction. Towering on its eastern border are the magnificent Taihang Mountains that separate the Loess Plateau from the North China Plain. Lying on its west is the Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon that cleaves open the Loess Plateau from the north to the south, clearing the way for the Yellow River to surge ahead. These are the mountains and rivers that have created to this marvelous land and nurtured the great Chinese civilization.
Chapter 1
Yellow River, Great Wall, and Taihang Mountains
The Yellow River, the Great Wall and the Taihang Mountains are symbols of Chinese civilization and brand names of Beautiful China. Shanxi is home to the Yellow River, which carries China’s thousands of years of history. Shanxi is home to a major section of the Great Wall, and nurtures the majestic Taihang Mountains that represent the spirit and backbone of the Chinese nation. When this ancient province mixes with new thoughts and ideas, China’s 5,000-year old civilization is sure to burst forth with an unprecedented vitality.
Chapter 2
Traditional Handicrafts
Shanxi, as the cradle and epitome of China’s time-honored civilization, boasts rich historical sites and profound traditional culture. Myriad intangible cultural heritages in Shanxi manifest the wisdom of the people who have labored on this land for generation after generation.
The Lihou Tiger is a traditional handicraft originating in Licheng County. Dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties when tigers were a folk totem, the Lihou Tiger is known as the “First Tiger in China”. This figurine is artwork made of dough that is kneaded into various shapes then steamed. The hand-polished lacquer is a traditional artistry in Shanxi’s Ping Yao. As known as a 3D traditional Chinese painting, the layered brocade of Shangdang illustrates traditional paintings with silk and brocade, adding a touch of mystery to this folk art.
Chapter 3
World Heritages
Shanxi has three world heritages. The ancient city of Ping Yao, first built in the Western Zhou Dynasty, has a history of more than 2,700 years. The Yungang Grottoes are a monument left by the Northern Wei Dynasty whose capital was located in the province. Mount Wutai boasts a collection of numerous historical sites left from each dynasty since Northern Wei, integrating the essences of Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, and folk cultures.
Shanxi is also like a museum of ancient Chinese architecture, hosting a full spectrum of buildings from the former times, including temples, civil residences, ancient cities, the Great Wall, theatrical stages, bridges… Shanxi has everything you could possibly want!
“Discover the Beauty of Shanxi”
Shanxi Cultural Tourism Video Exhibition
This exhibition, which consists of three sections, i.e. “Chief Experience Officer”, “Shanxi Intangible Cultural Heritage” and “Pingyao Ancient City”, is designed to display the best of Shanxi’s scenery from different perspectives. Join us in discovering the Beauty of Shanxi.
Chief Experience Officer
From the perspective of Rees, a young British man, the program vividly tells the story of Shanxi in its development process. We will take you into different places in Shanxi, including Taiyuan, Datong, Jinzhong, Linfen, Yangquan and Shuozhou to bring you an immersive experience of Shanxi and show you a different Shanxi.
Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shanxi
Shanxi is the epitome of China’s five thousand years of civilization. As the birthplace of the Chinese civilization, Shanxi has rich historical sites and profound cultural heritage. The vast intangible cultural heritage is the crystallization of the wisdom of the working people in Shanxi for generations.
Pingyao Ancient City
Pingyao Ancient City is located in Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, which is an outstanding example of ancient Chinese cities in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The promotional films, The Ancient City of the East and Pingyao in China, show people an extraordinary and complete picture of cultural, social, economic and religious development.
